I would also guess that using fast lens makes the black AF points easier to see.

To a point - specifically, with an f/2.8 lens the viewfinder is as bright as it's going to get and the AF points are as dark as they're going to get, meaning maximum contrast. If you use lenses faster than f/2.8, the AF points actually get washed out - even though the standard focusing screen means the viewfinder doesn't get any brighter with lenses faster than f/2.8, the additional light does affect the transmissive LCD, such that with an f/1.2 lens, the AF point display appears light gray instead of black.

I would also guess that using fast lens makes the black AF points easier to see.

To a point - specifically, with an f/2.8 lens the viewfinder is as bright as it's going to get and the AF points are as dark as they're going to get, meaning maximum contrast. If you use lenses faster than f/2.8, the AF points actually get washed out - even though the standard focusing screen means the viewfinder doesn't get any brighter with lenses faster than f/2.8, the additional light does affect the transmissive LCD, such that with an f/1.2 lens, the AF point display appears light gray instead of black.

My fastest on the 7D is f/2 - and I expect most of the time the 7D will be used with longer lens for sports/wildlife etc

I also find it curious that 7D shooters were never bothered by this. To me that says that hardly any professionals use the 7D.

Think again, I used the 7d as my primary camera for almost 3 years since it was first released. Never bothered me once. To be fair weddings isn't my bread and butter but whenever I needed focus in dark areas, I never had to fear about missing shots... ever. It just grew to be practically second nature to me.

I also find it curious that 7D shooters were never bothered by this. To me that says that hardly any professionals use the 7D.

Think again, I used the 7d as my primary camera for almost 3 years since it was first released. Never bothered me once. To be fair weddings isn't my bread and butter but whenever I needed focus in dark areas, I never had to fear about missing shots... ever. It just grew to be practically second nature to me.

the 7d didn't have so many af point as the 5D Mark III does...Then again if you shoot stills subject this is not an issue, try shooting something fast, action, it dim light, a concert, a wedding dance even which aint fast at all, then you will see how bad this is

Cyrano

... Then again if you shoot stills subject this is not an issue, try shooting something fast, action, it dim light, a concert, a wedding dance even which aint fast at all, then you will see how bad this is

I shoot ballet dancers -- often in black leotards, running and jumping on a dark stage, under low light. I shoot in AI Servo mode, with a single AF point manually selected.

I'm very concerned. I have a 1DX on order, and it may prove unsuitable for my primary use.

... Then again if you shoot stills subject this is not an issue, try shooting something fast, action, it dim light, a concert, a wedding dance even which aint fast at all, then you will see how bad this is

I shoot ballet dancers -- often in black leotards, running and jumping on a dark stage, under low light. I shoot in AI Servo mode, with a single AF point manually selected. I'm very concerned. I have a 1DX on order, and it may prove unsuitable for my primary use.

Yes, I'm in a similar predicament. Last night I shot a low light black suit event, mostly bouncing flash. Just for the exercise I put the 300 f/2.8 on the 5D3, cranked iso up to 6400 and picked out candid AL portraits of the guests. I wanted to see how AI Servo with single point selected would perform. Compared to the 1D4 in identical circumstances the 5D3 knocked my socks off. Where I managed to keep sight of the AF point the keepers rate was way above my expectations. If we had the red AF points visible, the only lost shots would have been from motion blur. I was astounded.

So what a pity Canon has set this camera up with such strong AF and all but murdered it's usability. Cancel the 1DX pre-order? It's a tough call...